Ontario place hotel

By David Rider City Hall Bureau Chief Fri., Jan. 11, 2019 Former Progressive Conservative premier Bill Davis is weighing into the debate to ensure a crucial piece of Toronto waterfront remains “a family place” — with no casino. Davis, at age 89 a revered figure in the Progressive Conservative party, made the comments about Ontario Place in response to questions the Star put to thinkers, planners and politicans about the site’s future being pondered by Premier Doug Ford and his PC government. Some are calling for major development but most experts said revitalization steps to date — a walking and biking trail named after Davis in 2015 and the east island’s 7.5-acre Trillium Park — are steps in the right direction. “Ontario Place was conceived as a family place, with attractions, entertainment, food services, play and theatre areas aimed at the family,” Davis said in a statement, adding its superb Lake … [Read more...] about Ex-premier Bill Davis and others insist Ontario Place remain ‘family firendly’ and accessible to all

By Francine Kopun City Hall Reporter Fri., Jan. 11, 2019 Nadine Spencer, president of the Black Business and Professional Association, remembers attending a reggae concert at Ontario Place when she was a teenager recently arrived from Jamaica, and the way it brought people together. “I came to Canada in 1979, when I was 12. And I remember going to Ontario Place with my family as a new immigrant, and seeing Peter Tosh play. “It wasn’t just Jamaicans. Everyone was there … from all different races, and there we were, sitting on the grass, eating and dancing and just celebrating.” The memory of that day is with her still, at 50, and Spencer wants to see newcomers have the opportunity to enjoy the same kind of experience. “I think Ontario Place should be a space where people meet, where families meet and communities meet and we get to know each other and learn from each other — maybe this is just a part of the solution … [Read more...] about Readers have lots of ideas for Ontario Place redevelopment

By Star Editorial Board Mon., Sept. 24, 2018 At risk of stating the obvious, there is only one Ontario Place. It is a 51-hectare, publicly-owned potential jewel on Toronto’s waterfront. That’s why it’s so important that Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government doesn’t muck it up as it moves forward on the much-needed redevelopment of the site. And the biggest cause for concern on that front is the premier himself. Doug Ford has already demonstrated that he’s keen to operate according to his own whims, rather than based on public consultation with Torontonians and the real needs of the city. We are, after all, talking about a premier who didn’t once alert voters that he planned to cut Toronto city council in half while he was running for office, and then imperiously did so in the middle of a municipal election campaign. Now Ford is said to be casting his eye south of his office at the legislature and taking a … [Read more...] about Ontario Place redevelopment is not the time for another Ford whim

By David Rider City Hall Bureau Chief Fri., Sept. 7, 2018 The City of Toronto does not know what the Ford government is planning for Ontario Place but expects to be included in any waterfront redevelopment discussions, says Mayor John Tory. Tory raised the issue with Premier Doug Ford on Aug. 4 during the Caribbean Carnival grand parade at city-owned Exhibition Place, which is adjacent to provincially owned Ontario Place. “I said to (Ford) one of the many things we have to talk about is this precinct,” the mayor said in an interview Friday. “I said I always believed it would be best if we could find some way to have a co-ordinated plan, because it is effectively one part of the city or one neighbourhood, but (Ontario Place and Exhibition Place) happen to be under different ownership. “I said I hope we can talk about that and he said, ‘Yeah, we really should. It’s important.’ ” The pair were back at the site … [Read more...] about Toronto awaits Doug Ford’s plans for Ontario Place

By David Rider City Hall Bureau Chief Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Thu., Sept. 6, 2018 Premier Doug Ford, whose grandiose schemes for Toronto’s waterfront were thwarted when he was a city councillor and his brother was mayor, is setting his sights on redeveloping Ontario Place. Sources told the Star that Ford wants to scuttle proposals that were being considered by the previous Liberal government and start anew with an international competition to rethink the sprawling green space along Lake Shore Blvd. W. The premier, whose Progressive Conservatives toppled Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals in the June 7 election, signalled three weeks ago that changes were afoot. “Ontario Place was spectacular in the day,” Ford said at the Aug. 17 opening of the Canadian National Exhibition, which is adjacent to the provincially owned park. “I’m proud to announce we’re going to work in conjunction with the CNE, … [Read more...] about Doug Ford sets sights on Ontario Place redevelopment